Lethal Bizzle - Go Hard

I've always liked Lethal B. Recent evidence for my hunch is that he's one of the most entertaining people on Twitter, despite very strong, recent competition from Marcus Nasty.

In the grime-bubble, I suppose Lethal floats on the filmy edge; not quite in the insular, underground circle and not fully in the wider conscience - a touring and NME middle-ground. He's also between the two worlds of Country and City, as Jammer and Fumin have reminded him in recent wars of words. Then again, he seems to know as well:

Been woken up by a cat trying to eat a bird! Then bare birds come to save the bird! Bare noise ! Madness ! Countryside activities kmt !
6:10 AM Aug 7th from TwitterBerry

Sippin on some sizzurp! I no I'm late! I had to drive to the hood to get it! They don't even sale alize in the sticks! Kmt
3:11 PM Aug 11th from TwitterBerry

Just got back to my crib after a long ass day and there's a power cut! My gate not opening so I had to jump over and i ripped my hoodie kmft
10:14 PM Sep 11th from TwitterBerry

There's still more anticipated releases this year but, given Lethal and his foot in each camp, maybe his upcoming CD, 'Go Hard', has been overlooked by the underground. Out on 5 October, it's a crux in Lethal's career:

Real talk! My 4th album is gonna be pop! Chippy, tinchy, ironik and dizze.. That's the way forward! My 3rd album will be my last hard album
3:05 PM Jul 19th from TwitterBerry

As he edges towards the precipice, 'Go Hard' could well have some highlights. Along with the two Donaeo collaborations on Go Hard and
Flap Your Wings, there's production from Dexplicit and the Silencer track, Don't Run It Up:

Lethal Bizzle - Don't Run It Up

Just finished making one pop rap electro tune, decent still.... I gotta get used to this pop shit! Daaaam things have changed
8:28 PM Aug 17th from TwitterBerry

Indeed they have. If in a couple of years he's not referred to as the 'UK grime star', he would have done alright for himself. But I don't really mind what music he makes - as long as he keeps going strong with the twitter updates.

'I'll Leave Your Head-Piece Open, On The Door-Step With The Front Door Open'

Lord of the Decks is a grime institution that needs reviving. It was consistent, and their soundtracks were some of the best ever and epitomised the sound. I always liked the first one, with Crazy Titch's Destruction vocal, Esco's version of Ice Rink 2, and N.A.S.T.Y's Take You Out. The first Lord of the Decks and its shameless imitation of The Lord Of The Rings is full of character, and 'The Fellowship Of The Mic' is poetry. It's refreshing to look back on something like that now, amidst the hygienic yet necessary professionalism that's needed to market yourself these days.

The fellowship of the mic was represented on the DVD for the third edition, which is one of the best bits of grime footage I've ever seen. They might lack quality control, but I love grime DVDs, and there's always priceless moments that have replay value.



The footage of Kano's, D Double's, Jammer's, and Lethal B's weekend in Berlin has a ridiculous amount of highlights, including Jammer getting into the car for the airport at 4 in the morning while still blazing, Kano in the recovery position on the plane and scared shitless while Jammer and Lethal do their best to drown out the public service announcement, and Jammer laughing at D Double E's bag because it was made by Hi-Tec.

Jammer is the centre of everything comic, but his tour-de-force is yet to come. The records are left in the hotel room with the keys, and Kano just stands there as Jammer tries to kick down the door. While yelling 'POOOOOWW'! 'POOOOOWWW'!

After numerous attempts, the Merkle Man flies in mid-air, both feet extended for the aerial dropkick, the camera going into slow-motion, and Jammer eventually breaks in, only to fall on the floor in the moment of victory.

Bizzle described it best, in probably the best monologue Germany has ever heard.

'It's all mad out here but, did you just see that shit? It's fucking nuts, Jammer fucking Superman Dread licking off fucking doors and shit, see me rudeboy, IT'S REAL, THE BIZZLE, WE'RE IN FUCKING GERMANY, you see me, man are late for the gig, man are on some BLACK PEOPLE'S TIME, YOU SEE MEEE'

A lively weekend with even livelier grime ambassadors. Over four years on, they've all done alright for themselves. Where have the characters gone?